We are committed to ensuring IWM London is accessible to all visitors, and hope the facilities we have introduced enhance your visit. Step-free access to the museum is via the West Entrance. If you're looking at the front of the museum, the West Entrance is located on the right hand side of the building, just past the Café entrance. For more information please follow the link to our accessibility guide below.

Accessibility guides

We have partnered with AccessAble to create an accessibility guide to each floor of IWM London. 

Museum entrance and exit

  • Entry can be from either the North Entrance, or via the West Entrance, which is step free.
  • The North Entrance has 9 steps leading up to the door. There are 2 handrails alongside the steps.
    • Once inside, there are 3 steps up to the shop.
  • The West Entrance has step-free access.
    • To find the West Entrance, please turn right when you are standing in front of the building, facing the large naval guns. Then turn left and follow the path that runs alongside the building.

Entering the Museum

  • For everyone's safety, all bags, rucksacks, packages and personal items may be searched before entry.
  • Wheeled cases, sports equipment and large items of luggage are not allowed in the museum.
  • Lockers are available by the North Entrance. A £1 coin is needed to operate the lockers (refunded).
    • Please be aware, the shop does not provide small change for the lockers.

General Information

  • Seating is available on levels 0, 2, 3 and 5. It is also available in The Holocaust Gallery
  • Please be aware that the lighting is low in the First World War Gallery
  • If you have any queries or need any assistance on site, please ask. Our staff and volunteers will be more than happy to help you.
  • All galleries and exhibitions have level access but there are some gentle slopes in some of the galleries
  • Please ask a member of staff if you wish to use a First Aid room or require assistance.

For wheelchair users and people with impaired mobility

  • Wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge. Please contact us or telephone 020 7416 5000, to reserve a wheelchair.
  • Step-free access to the museum is via the West Entrance. If you're looking at the front of the building, the West entrance is located on the right-hand side of the building, just past the café entrance.
  • All lifts in the museum are wheelchair accessible and have audio announcements. Most lifts have braille signage.
  • Designated parking bays for blue badge holders (located off Brook Drive, behind IWM London). Please contact us or telephone 020 7416 5000  to reserve a space at least three days before your visit. You will need to let us have your car registration number and a contact phone number so that we can book you in. All parking is subject to availability. 
  • Gender neutral accessible toilets can be found on levels 0 – 3.
  • Our gender-neutral Changing Places toilet can be found on level 0, close to the male public toilet. A radar key is needed to access the Changing Places toilet
    • The key can be obtained from the information desk on level 0.
    • Please note that the facility is not staffed and that users must bring their own slings.
    • The maximum weight limit of the hoist is 200kg. Operating instructions are displayed inside the room.

For Blind and partially sighted visitors

  • A warm welcome to Guide dogs and registered assistance dogs. Water bowls can be provided at the café on level 0.
  • We are temporarily unable to provide our audio descriptive tours.
  • Information Points with tactile maps and audio description are available in the following galleries:
    • One in the First World War Gallery, located at the beginning of the gallery
    • Two in the Second World War Gallery, located at the beginning and halfway through the gallery
    • Two in The Holocaust Gallery, located at the beginning and halfway through the gallery
  • Tactile objects and information in Braille are available in the Second World War and The Holocaust Galleries
  • Large print guides are available for the Second World War and The Holocaust Galleries

For Deaf and hearing impaired visitors

  • Information Points that display a short introductory film in BSL are available in the following galleries:
    • One in the First World War Gallery, located at the beginning of the gallery
    • Two in the Second World War Gallery, located at the beginning and halfway through the gallery
    • Two in The Holocaust Gallery, located at the beginning and halfway through the gallery
  • There are Induction loops and videos with BSL interpretation in the Second World War and The Holocaust Galleries
  • Videos are accompanied with subtitles (in English) throughout the museum
  • All lifts in the museum are wheelchair accessible and have audio announcements. Most lifts have braille signage.

 

If you have any queries or would like to discuss any access issues please contact us.